Who is the network genius who thinks we need more annoying pop-ups on the bottom of the screen accompanied by loud sound-effects of a gunshot? Is this the start of a new trend?

I think CBS went a bit too far tonight on CSI Miami... Their idea of putting "bullet points" (production notes) on the bottom of the screen to inform me that, among other things, an actor's visible breath while in a freezer had to be simulated by computer generated graphics, is highly distracting.

The bullet points had nothing to do with the crime scene and were really distracting from following the show's plot-line and dialog... especially since they were accompanied by loud gunshot sound effects.

I solved it though... I changed channels... I'll bet that made the CBS advertisers happy.

Joe L.

Tonights CSI:Miami, as well as most primetime shows, are in re-run mode due to the now ended writers strike.
This is just a "prop" by CBS to get viewers to tune in.

If CBS did this all the time I'd probably also would tune out, but for a re-run episode I found it kinda cute.

Tonights CSI:Miami, as well as most primetime shows, are in re-run mode due to the now ended writers strike.
This is just a "prop" by CBS to get viewers to tune in.

If CBS did this all the time I'd probably also would tune out, but for a re-run episode I found it kinda cute.It may have been a re-run for you, but it was the first time I was watching that specific episode...

The extra garbage on the bottom of the screen was just too distracting for me. I'm tired of junk being added, covering up what I'm trying to watch.

It is NOT the same as a "director's commentary" track on a DVD. There, I can elect to enable or disable it. On prime-time HDTV, I can't.:mad::mad::mad:

Joe L.

LOST is doing the same thing with last week's episode w/ pop-ups running prior to this week's episode. It works; I've been watching them hoping to pick up some more pertinent information. They'll pick up a lot of viewers who normally wouldn't watch a re-run (even though procedural addicts, like CSI fans, don't seem to care how many times they shoot the same cops & robbers into their veins). Smart programming move; surprised they didn't think of it earlier.

My family was VERY annoyed and quickly turned to another station when we realized what CBS was doing.

LOST is doing the same thing with last week's episode w/ pop-ups running prior to this week's episode. It works; I've been watching them hoping to pick up some more pertinent information. They'll pick up a lot of viewers who normally wouldn't watch a re-run (even though procedural addicts, like CSI fans, don't seem to care how many times they shoot the same cops & robbers into their veins). Smart programming move; surprised they didn't think of it earlier.
Something like this would work for Lost where people are looking for answers, not for CSI. However, I don't like more crap on my HD screen. SD, I could care less about since I don't watch SD and it isn't a "premium".

VH1's Pop-Up Video has taken over primetime! :eek:

Smart programming move; surprised they didn't think of it earlier.

Be careful what you wish for. With station bugs now the norm and sporting events cluttering the screen with tons of information, there is the possibility this gimmick just might catch on. Maybe not with the public at large, but with the honchos that makes those decisions. Oh, they are so creative! :rolleyes:

I think that for a show like Lost, where the story continues every week and where there are all kinds of sub-plots and subtle clues, the pop-ups are great for reruns, but for a non-continuous show that spells out every single clue so that a 5 year old can understand it, the pop-ups are overkill.

I think that for a show like Lost, where the story continues every week and where there are all kinds of sub-plots and subtle clues, the pop-ups are great for reruns, but for a non-continuous show that spells out every single clue so that a 5 year old can understand it, the pop-ups are overkill.

Well, let's not forget we're just talking about trying to get people to watch re-runs. They won't do it for original episodes, obviously. Serial shows repeat abysmally, so it's a good idea there. But people will apparently watch the very same procedural shows over and over and over, automatically, robotically, like Pavlov's dog. ;)

Well, in this industry where they all copy each other, dont be suprised if they do it also eventually on first runs. Look at NBC for a prime time example!
Never say never.


Well, let's not forget we're just talking about trying to get people to watch re-runs. They won't do it for original episodes, obviously. Serial shows repeat abysmally, so it's a good idea there. But people will apparently watch the very same procedural shows over and over and over, automatically, robotically, like Pavlov's dog. ;)

At first I kind of thought it was interesting because I knew it was a rerun and the information pertained to the show or the actors. So it was kind of like going back and watching the extras disc on dvd. But after thinking about it for a while (and hearing the gun shot for the 3rd time) my thoughts changed because it just keeps the door open for this type of thing, which only leads to more marketing that we'd be forced to watch assuming we continue to tune in. Maybe it would be better if they did a lead in to the commercial break with this stuff as opposed to doing it during the program.

They'll pick up a lot of viewers who normally wouldn't watch a re-run (even though procedural addicts, like CSI fans, don't seem to care how many times they shoot the same cops & robbers into their veins). Smart programming move; surprised they didn't think of it earlier.

A rerun is always a first run to someone.

I don't watch CSI but if I had tuned in last night out of curiosity and saw enforced DVD trivia I would tune out instantly. It's just another example of the continuous decline of TV. People complain about DRM and the lack of choice it gives the consumer but the choice as to what you see on your screen is ever increasingly being taken away. Imagine DVD rentals with enforced commentary or going to the movies to see pop-ups during the movie telling you the concession stand is open. It's the same thing but for some reason the public are content to let it happen on television. The cinemas of the world and the DVD rentals will not be far behind at this rate.

I can see it now ... networked Blu-Ray players that have pop-up ads streamed from the content providers just like TV ...

Seinfeld on DVD uses "notes about nothing" (no sound effects) for further information about the episode, the script, the actors... etc. I enjoyed it the first time watching the shows, but thereafter, the captions would be off.

Either way, it's my choice here. NBC had a "My Dad is Better Than Your Dad" countdown promo bug timer on last night during "Deal" The crap on the screen is out of control.

Who is the network genius who thinks we need more annoying pop-ups on the bottom of the screen accompanied by loud sound-effects of a gunshot? Is this the start of a new trend?

I think CBS went a bit too far tonight on CSI Miami... Their idea of putting "bullet points" (production notes) on the bottom of the screen to inform me that, among other things, an actor's visible breath while in a freezer had to be simulated by computer generated graphics, is highly distracting.

The bullet points had nothing to do with the crime scene and were really distracting from following the show's plot-line and dialog... especially since they were accompanied by loud gunshot sound effects.

I solved it though... I changed channels... I'll bet that made the CBS advertisers happy.

Joe L.
Same here. When that stuff started i changed the channel. It took a serious drama into some sort of vh-1, nick at nite show:mad:

Seinfeld on DVD uses "notes about nothing" (no sound effects) for further information about the episode, the script, the actors... etc. I enjoyed it the first time watching the shows, but thereafter, the captions would be off.

Either way, it's my choice here. NBC had a "My Dad is Better Than Your Dad" countdown promo bug timer on last night during "Deal" The crap on the screen is out of control.

Nbc is getting horrible with that stuff. I purposely didnt watch "my dad" because of that bug.

I emailed the network. Told them to quit it. It is too distracting while trying to watch the show.